In a stunning upset that electrified the Miami Open and reverberated across the tennis world, 19-year-old Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala defeated fifth seed Madison Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory. The match, played Sunday, marked a historic moment—not just for Eala, but for Philippine tennis.
This win makes Eala the first Filipino woman in the Open Era to defeat a top-10 opponent since the WTA rankings were introduced in 1975. And she didn’t just win—she dominated.
A Victory Decades in the Making
After the final point, Eala dropped her racket, embraced her team, and celebrated with tears and emotion on full display. This wasn’t just another win. This was a breakthrough moment for a country with limited visibility on the global tennis stage.
“Growing up it was tough. You didn’t have anyone from where you’re from to pave the way,” Eala said in her post-match interview. “Of course, you had many people to look up to around the world, but I hope this takes Filipino tennis to the next step.”
Eala, the 2022 U.S. Open girls’ singles champion, has been honing her game at the prestigious Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca since the age of 13. Now, she’s set to face Spain’s Paula Badosa in the next round for a shot at the quarterfinals.
Madison Keys Admits Struggles
For Keys, the Miami Open loss is another tough blow following her semi-final defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in Indian Wells. The American star conceded she was far from her best form.
“My serve was not really there today and I just kind of felt a little flat — and when you are playing someone who makes a ton of balls back and absorbs really well, that’s not really the keys to success,” said Keys.
Swiatek Stretches Record at WTA 1000s
Meanwhile, World No. 2 Iga Swiatek continued her dominance in WTA 1000 tournaments, advancing to the last 16 for a record-extending 25th consecutive time at this level. She overcame a gritty challenge from Belgium’s Elise Mertens, securing a 7-6 (7/2), 6-1 win.
Swiatek’s first serve was shaky in the opening set but improved dramatically in the second—from 60% to 79%—allowing her to control the match.
“In the first set, my serve wasn’t working perfectly. I’m glad I was patient enough to just work for it,” Swiatek said.
Elina Svitolina Powers Into Round Four
Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, seeded 22nd, outlasted 15th-seeded Karolina Muchova in three sets: 6-2, 3-6, 6-2. It was a match of momentum swings, but Svitolina held strong and powered through with consistent groundstrokes and well-timed aggression.
American Sebastian Korda Upsets Tsitsipas
Over in the men’s draw, 24th seed Sebastian Korda pulled off his first Top-10 win of the year, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. Korda, a Florida native, was ecstatic to deliver such a performance on home soil.
“It’s awesome. I was born in Florida. My whole family is here. It’s just a lot of fun to play here and get my first Top 10 win of the year,” Korda said.
Korda’s aggressive net play and precise serving proved too much for the Greek star, who’s been trying to find rhythm after winning his first title in over a year last month in Dubai.
Grigor Dimitrov Reaches New Milestone
In a back-and-forth battle, Grigor Dimitrov edged out Karen Khachanov in a marathon match: 6-7 (7/3), 6-4, 7-5. With this win, Dimitrov becomes just the fourth active player to hit 100 Masters 1000 hard-court victories.
“It’s beautiful. I think every time you hit such a milestone, it just reminds you how far you’ve come,” said Dimitrov. “We know each other very well, we practice with each other a lot, so there weren’t really secrets. At the end of the day, it came down to a few points.”
Novak Djokovic Next in Line
Later in the evening, all eyes were set on Novak Djokovic, the fourth seed, who was due to face Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in what fans hoped would be another top-tier performance from the Serbian legend.
Why Alexandra Eala’s Win Matters
Eala’s victory is more than just a match win. It’s a cultural moment. In a country where basketball dominates, and tennis gets little mainstream attention, her performance is a beacon. It may well inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes to dream beyond borders.
For tennis fans, her journey is one to watch. For Filipinos, it’s a powerful symbol of what’s possible.
